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Author Topic: HIV Test Information  (Read 3100 times)

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Offline HealthPositive

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HIV Test Information
« on: January 24, 2015, 11:52:36 pm »
Hello,

I just have a couple of questions concerning the HIV tests (ELISA & Western Blot and actually PCR Viral Load tests as well) I am hoping that people here who have knowledge in these tests can comment on.

How can you trust the accuracy of these tests when they have a false positive rate? Do you know that 20+ other diseases and medical conditions on these tests cause false positives? Diseases like TB, Malaria, MS, cause false positives. Common conditions such as pregnancy, flu shots, even semen in the rectum can cause a false positive on these tests. If there is a false positive rate, and you test positive how can you know that it is a true positive or a false positive? I understand that your response will be that that the initial ELISA test will then be compared to the Western Blot test in order to prove its accuracy (which also has the same rate of false positivity as the ELISA) but the Western Blot is simply an extended ELISA test. Where the ELISA test compares (supposed) HIV proteins as a group, the Western Blot stretches each protein out and based on the reaction between each protein it determines the positivity based on how many proteins react (even though the standard is different between every country, even according to every lab). Certain proteins which are common in all cells, some common in all retrovirus'(p24) so the rate of false positive will be raised.

Should these tests not be held to a gold standard like every other diagnostic medical test is in order to prove its accuracy? So that they provide 100% accurate results 100% of the time? Why is the HIV test(s) the only test(s) that are not held to this gold standard? Theres no different than testing for cancer and a test proving that you might have cancer and prescribing chemotherapy drugs based on a maybe. No one would rationally accept that unless it was a definite answer.

For those who do not know what a gold standard in medical diagnostic testing is I will briefly explain the process; first a sample of the supposed infected blood is taken. This blood is processed through a centrifuge which separates out the specific densities of the sample. The retroviral density is separated and then purified through a filter. This purified viral sample is then photographed under an electron microscope. The viral particles are then introduced to virgin cells and their supposed effect (infection and release of viral antibodies) are then observed and compared with the result of the original test. This process proves the test is 100% accurate 100% of the time. This has never happened for either the ELISA, Western Blot, or PCR test. Why? Because HIV has never been isolated or purified therefore making this process impossible to complete.

Furthermore I would like to hear your comments on the PCR or "viral load" test which amplifies the supposed HIV DNA in order to count (by a complex mathematical equation) how much of the virus present in the sample. Why has this test never been held to a gold standard? On that point, if HIV is aggressive and replicates at a high rate, why can it not be separated from the blood sample (as stated in the gold standard explanation above) and photographed? And further a manual counting of the virus as is standard in all viral counts for all other virus'? Why does its DNA fragment need to be replicated in order to prove its existence in the blood? If HIV is so prevalent in the blood sample, what is the need of such a test in order to replicate its DNA?

These are questions I have asked many HIV specialist doctors and none have been able to answer them, even told me that these tests are "good enough". I am sorry but if you are telling someone they are dying of a viral infection and need to take drugs which stop the process of DNA replication, I need more than "good enough". Please dont send personal attacks, only data which counteracts what I have to say. Thank you for your time.

Offline Jeff G

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Re: HIV Test Information
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2015, 11:57:33 pm »
Are you HIV positive ?
HIV 101 - Basics
HIV 101
You can read more about Transmission and Risks here:
HIV Transmission and Risks
You can read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
You can read more about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read more about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
You can read more about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

Offline HealthPositive

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Re: HIV Test Information
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2015, 12:06:23 am »
How would you know if it was a true positive or a false positive?

Offline Jeff G

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Re: HIV Test Information
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2015, 12:08:22 am »
How would you know if it was a true positive or a false positive?

I am one of the forum moderators and we have rules where new member can post so I need to know your HIV status please .
HIV 101 - Basics
HIV 101
You can read more about Transmission and Risks here:
HIV Transmission and Risks
You can read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
You can read more about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read more about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
You can read more about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

Offline Jeff G

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  • How am I doing Beren ?
Re: HIV Test Information
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2015, 12:13:57 am »

Please only post in this one thread no matter how long between visits or the subject matter . You can find this thread by going to your profile and selecting show own post and it will take you here . It helps us to help you when you keep all your thoughts or questions in one thread and it helps other readers to follow the discussion. Additional threads will be merged.


Im not playing games with you … please answer my question . You have one free post left before you have to buy a subscription so use it wisely . After you answer my question I will determine where if anywhere else you can post . Thanks for your cooperation .
HIV 101 - Basics
HIV 101
You can read more about Transmission and Risks here:
HIV Transmission and Risks
You can read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
You can read more about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read more about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
You can read more about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

Offline Jeff G

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  • Member
  • Posts: 17,064
  • How am I doing Beren ?
Re: HIV Test Information
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2015, 12:33:08 am »
I removed one of your post so you can answer my question . Do you have HIV or have you had a risk for HIV ? Please be specific .
HIV 101 - Basics
HIV 101
You can read more about Transmission and Risks here:
HIV Transmission and Risks
You can read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
You can read more about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read more about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
You can read more about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

 


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